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Spellswept by Stephanie Burgis In the world of the Harwood Spellbook, 19th-century Angland is ruled by a powerful group of women known as the Boudiccate - but in order to become a member of that elite group, any ambitious young politician must satisfy tradition by taking a gentleman mage for her husband. Amy Standish is a born politician...but Jonathan Harwood is her greatest temptation. On the night of the Harwoods' Spring Solstice Ball, in an underwater ballroom full of sparkling fey lights and danger, Amy will have to fight the greatest political battle of her life to win a family and a future that she could never have imagined. It will take an entirely unexpected kind of magic to keep everything from crashing down around her. Warning: this novella contains forbidden romance, dangerous magic, and political intrigue in an underwater ballroom. What could possibly go wrong? |
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Some lies cut deeper than any sword. War has come to the fragile city-state of Carenos. A self-proclaimed âKing of the Southâ sows destruction among its outlying villages, cutting a bloody swathe towards the capital. As smoke from the burning wheat fields blackens the sky, Carenos beseeches its northern allies for aid. Dexios, general of the Thenean phalanx, is one of those chosen to answer the call. After braving the tumultuous Sea of Scales, he arrives in Carenos at the head of three hundred hoplites, determined to put an end to the enemy incursion. One threat, however, can often hide another. Something is stirring in the shadows of the sun-drenched lowlands, an age-old legend, abandoned and forgotten. Drawn from its den by the need to satiate its ravenous hunger. And the enticing scent of blood. |
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The Sorceress Transcendent by Casey Blair Once mortal enemies on the battlefield, what can they become supporting each other instead? When Varius, the greatest general of the Aurelian Empire, is forced to flee his homeland, there's only one person he can turn to. A powerful sorceress and once his most deadly enemy, Theira is the only combatant who's ever escaped the war between their peoples. But with the memories of how they kept each other going from opposite sides of a battlefield, when a bleeding Varius knocks on her door, she lets him in, even knowing what will follow. Theira may have gotten away, but as long as the war goes on, she'll never really be free. Now with both their peoples actively hunting them, the two most dangerous fighters in a never-ending war will have to join forces to do the end it once and for all, on their terms. And if they can dare to dream boldly enough, maybe find happiness for themselves, too. The Sorceress Transcendent is a stand-alone enemies-to-lovers epic fantasy romance novella about badasses who enjoy a cozy cup of tea after a long day wreaking epic destruction, because why choose? This story is for everyone who knows what's coming when your former mortal enemy and best rival knocks on the door in the middle of the night and says, "I had nowhere else to go." |
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In this extended tale of sci-fi-meets-historical fiction, Xenia, a woman with an integrated artificial intelligence, embarks on a mission to repair a malfunctioning relay at the edge of the wilderness now called the Flood Zone. As the mission turns to disaster, Xenia and her security contractor find themselves confronting a greater mystery, one that eventually leads them to a strange town in the middle of nowhere, where nothing is quite as it seems. The town, called Harmonie, has a long utopian history. Half-abandoned for years, it has been revived by a group of secretive scientists and artists, who are still dealing with the echoes of a long and complex American past. Its traces appear in a set of peculiar 19th-century documents that chronicle the life of a free-spirited woman, the long forgotten reformer and troublemaker Camilla Wright, which only deepens riddles lurking in the heart of the forest. Starfall II will be released in early 2024. |
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The Chronicles of John Zebedee by Elizabeth Schechter Cursed with immortality, John Zebedee has resigned himself to spending the rest of eternity alone. Then he discovers an escaped captive in his barn -- the immortal heir to the Elven throne. Ethriel captures John's heart, and gives him hope for the first time in a very long time. But Ethriel's captors are hunting for him, and the rest of eternity may be closer than it seems. |
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Rise: Birth of a Revolution by Mark Moore A fragile peace teeters on the brink of collapse; new players threaten the colonial world order in this award-winning debut historical fantasy novel. Damien Flynn is going to die. And itâs going to happen because he finally stood up for whatâs right. After years of observing and taking part in the enduring corruption and oppression of the Ricchan people, Damien Flynnâs conscience wakes. He pushes for the Ricchan right to a vote, for control of their own destiny. He soon learns that bleeding hearts donât make for good politics, exchanging quills for shackles. Former friends and colleagues sentence Damien Flynn to death for treason. With time running out, Damien Flynn only has one chance, one opportunity for survival, and it comes from one of the most unlikely sources. Victoria Montgomery, the reluctant leader of an army composed of little more than ragtag criminals and vagrants, must make a change. And in Damien, she sees the catalyst to bring about the full-scale rebellion her people need to flourish. He is the key to bringing about a legitimate revolution that may have the strength to succeed where past attempts have failed. All she need do is gamble on the unknown, gamble on the strength of Damienâs morals and convictions and hope that sheâs judged him well, less the entire rebellion is forfeit. Victoria and Damien must unite to save Riccha from Braitonâs control. In order for this revolution to succeed, these two seemingly unlikely partners must believe in each other. A tough task when they barely even believe in themselves. Amidst the horrors of war, the cruelties of betrayal, and the unleashed wrath of long-held grievances, the righteousness and convictions of humanity will be tested like never before. Will the courage and resilience of the oppressed be enough to overcome the tyranny of their oppressors? Or will the flames of conflict engulf everything in their path, leaving nothing but destruction in their wake? In this epic tale of struggle and survival, the fate of a world hangs in the balance. Set in a richly imagined world of fantasy and history, this award-winning novel is a gripping tale of revolution, betrayal, and redemption. With its unforgettable characters, thrilling action, and poignant themes, it will captivate readers. Donât miss out on one of the most exciting fresh voices in historical fantasy. Award-winner: 2021 Royal Dragonfly Fiction: New Author 2nd Place: 2022 Storymonster Scifi/Fiction Awards Finalist for the 2019 OZMA Fantasy Fiction awards, Chanticleer International Book Awards |
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Dear Bartleby by Sarah Wallace Dear Bartleby, Tutting-on-Cress is so small as to be idyllic. Hate it already. Sent down from Oxford for playing one prank too many, Sebastian Hartford is well aware that heâs a disappointment to his family. Ordered to stay with â and learn from â two of his more respectable older siblings, Seb is prepared to be miserable in the country. Saddled with extracurricular schooling to keep him out of trouble, Seb can only let his mischievous mind run loose on the pages of his journal, âBartleby.â But when he is offered a job as a spellcasterâs assistant to the enigmatic Lord Finlington, Sebâs creative flair finds a place to flourish. Soon, he is at the center of a search for a new Royal Spellcaster to the Crown â and falling in love with one of the contenders. But right as a future with a man who loves him starts to unfold, Sebâs past mistakes threaten to bar him from securing happiness. And jumping through social hoops may prove his growth to everyone â except himself. |
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The Education of Pip by Sarah Wallace He had never experienced possibilities â and it was a whole new feeling to have them. Pip Standish is in Newgate Prison, a predictable career finale for a London thief. So he is surprised when Lord Finlington, the dashing viscount he attempted to steal from months before, offers to get him out â on the condition that Pip agrees to leave town and start a new career in the country. Soon, Pip finds himself moving to the idyllic Tutting-on-Cress and a life he never thought possible. As he settles in with his new friends, he discovers a well-rounded education not only involves reading and magic, but how to be happy, how to trust others with your heart, and how to let go of pain. But when an attempt to settle an old debt reopens a dangerous wound, Pip will need to apply all of his hard-earned lessons to stop the past swallowing him â and his future â whole. This new adult fantasy is the third book in the Meddle & Mend series. It is a continuation of Pip's story from One Good Turn. |
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One Good Turn by Sarah Wallace A reformed thief, a magical viscount, And one good deed that will change a life forever. In the underbelly of London, Nell Birks longs to escape the world of poverty and crime. When she rescues a wealthy gentleman from a gang of thieves, Nell is tasked with robbing the powerful spellcaster Viscount Finlington â as recompense for stealing a mark from a notorious crime lord. Confident that learning magic will improve her chances of a better life, Nell leaps at the opportunity to learn magic from the viscount. Soon, she finds herself immersed in a glittering social sphere, full of magic, luxury, and exciting possibilities. Dazzled by her new world, Nell quickly learns that with bigger dreams come bigger disappointments. And when her new friends decide to leave London behind, finding her place becomes more urgent than ever. When disaster strikes, everything Nell thought she knew about her old life is shaken to its core. But if magic is not her key to a better life, sheâs more lost than when she began. This new adult fantasy is the second book in the Meddle & Mend series. It takes place shortly after Letters to Half Moon Street but can be read as a standalone. |
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Letters to Half Moon Street by Sarah Wallace I must have been drunker than I realized because all I remember is how well he tied his cravat and how perfectly his coat fit him⌠London, 1815: where magic can be purchased at convenience, and the fashionable and wealthy descend for the start of the social Season. But 25-year-old Gavin Hartford finds the city intimidating when he arrives, alone, to his familyâs townhouse. The only company he seeks is in his beloved books and weekly letters to his sister, Gerry. Then dashing man-about-town Charles Kentworthy gallantly rescues Gavin from a foolish drunken mishap and turns his life upside-down. With Mr. Kentworthy, Gavin finds himself discussing poetry and magic, confessing his fears about marriage, expanding his social circle to shocking proportions â and far outside his comfort zone. When family responsibility comes knocking, Gavinâs future looms over him, filled with uncertainty. As he grapples with growing feelings for his new friend, Gavin will need to be honest with Mr. Kentworthy â but heâll need the courage to be honest with himself first. This epistolary Regency romance is the first in a historical fantasy series, Meddle & Mend. |
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Tales from Blackthorn Briar by Sebastian Nothwell Shrike, the fae Butcher of Blackthorn, and Wren Lofthouse, a mortal Victorian clerk, are bound together by love and fate. Their continued adventures (and those of their friends) are told in this collection of fantastical tales following the story of Oak King Holly King, including... Mabon Wherein Shrike and Wren repay their debt to the Court of Hidden Folk. Mr Grigsby's Clerk Wherein Mr Grigsby finds a replacement for Wren - and perhaps more than he bargained for. Jack in the Green Wherein a certain Horse Guard wanders into Blackthorn Briar. Winter Solstice Wherein the Holly King surrenders to the Oak King. The Holly King's Peril Wherein Wren and Shrike discover danger in the wilds of the Fae Realms. The Ballad of Daniel Durst Wherein Daniel embarks on his authentic life in a bold new land. |
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Oak King Holly King by Sebastian Nothwell Shrike, the Butcher of Blackthorn, is a legendary warrior of the fae realms. When he wins a tournament in the Court of the Silver Wheel, its queen names him her Oak King - a figurehead destined to die in a ritual duel to invoke the change of seasons. Shrike is determined to survive. Even if it means he must put his heart as well as his life into a mere mortalâs hands. Wren Lofthouse, a London clerk, has long ago resigned himself to a life of tedium and given up his fanciful dreams. When a medieval-looking brute arrives at his office to murmur of destiny, heâs inclined to think his old enemies are playing an elaborate prank. Still, he canât help feeling intrigued by the bizarre-yet-handsome stranger and his fantastical ramblings, whose presence stirs up emotions Wren has tried to lock away in the withered husk of his heart. As Shrike whisks Wren away to a world of Wild Hunts and arcane rites, Wren is freed from the repression of Victorian society. But both the fae and mortal realms prove treacherous to their growing bond. Wren and Shrike must fight side-by-side to see who will claim victory - Oak King or Holly King. |
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Fiorenzo by Sebastian Nothwell Fiore has a plan. Find a wealthy elderly gentleman, delight him until the end of his days, and retire on the resulting inheritance. Itâs the best outcome a low-born courtesan in the city of Halcyon can hope for. And it seems a perfect scheme⌠until a mysterious masked man upends it. Banished from university after a disastrous duel, Enzo wanders the city searching for scraps of the affection heâs lost. His public mask conceals private agonies. A single night in the company of a courtesan, however, balms his wounded heart, and he finds himself returning again and again to Fiore, revealing more of himself than heâs ever dared before. Furthermore, and more astonishing still, Fiore finds he returns Enzoâs affections. But while Fiore wears no mask, he nonetheless has secrets of his own. And when the ghosts of their pasts return to haunt them, only the bond of trust between them will carry them through. ~ Fiorenzo is a queer fantasy-of-manners romance featuring secret identities, hurt/comfort, and a happily-ever-after. |
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Legends of Andolin: Rising Tides by A.M. Portman THE ADVENTURE CONTINUES With the Heart of the World safe at the Capital, Lady Adella Grimless and her friends turn their attention to the looming war with Sornia. Pressed by the increasing threat in the Campos, Adella, Kol and Armand each part ways to face dangers from both land and sea on their own. OVER DANGEROUS LANDS Kol embarks on a perilous mission across the frontier, and learns the truth about his tragic past. Meanwhile, Armand heads to Raymouth to deliver a message, but soon finds himself on a reaver ship heading for troubled waters. AND TREACHEROUS SEAS As the Sornian army closes in on Elldon, Adella travels to Pentz to seek assistance, but things donât go as planned. When she faces death in the watery depths, one thing becomes clear: The legends of Andolin are real⌠And disaster is coming. |
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Legends of Andolin: Adella of the Campos by A.M. Portman A WOMAN IN A DESPERATE SEARCH Adella's life had been peaceful on the frontier of Valenna. But when mysterious raiders attack and burn her town down, her brother goes missing. Leaving everything behind, she sets off in a desperate ride across the plains to find him. A MERCENARY IN DIRE NEED OF HER HELP Kol, a highly-skilled Sornian soldier, needs Adella's help if he wants to live to see another day. A traitor to his country with nowhere else to turn, he agrees to guide Adella across the wilderness of the Campos. A HIGH-SEAS ADVENTURE When Adella is captured by the enemy, she inadvertently lets a powerful artifact fall into the wrong hands. Risking everything to find her, Kol takes a gamble and joins forces with the mysterious Captain Declan, a notorious reaver known for plundering Sornian ships. Each must face the same choice: Save the life of someone dear to them, or retrieve the artifact and prevent the awakening of Mundil and the rise of the Twelve Calamities... In a world of intrigue, mystery, and betrayal, will the choices they make lead to disaster? Legends of Andolin: Adella of the Campos is the first in an all-new series that takes you on a captivating adventure filled with excitement, danger and, most importantly, sea serpents. Read it today! |
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The award-winning Regency fantasy continues. Emma Woodhouse needs a dragon. Her life depends on it. But Emmaâs dragon is claimed⌠by Elizabeth Darcy. When Emma Woodhouse meets newly wed Elizabeth, a brush of their gloved hands unmasks the Darcysâ fantastic secret. Emma has discovered YuĂĄnchi, the deadly dragon coveted by both Emperor Napoleon and Englandâs Secretary of War. Secrets are nothing new for Emma. She has her own: a deathbed promise, and a clever plan to achieve it. The Darcysâ power, forbidden to her, might even help. But clever plans go astray. As treason stalks a royal ball, an avenging queen rises to ravage England. Survival rests on a fabled alliance: Emma and her secrets, Elizabeth and her dragon, and the magical music of Mary Bennet and Georgiana Darcy. Will Emma, Elizabeth, and Mary unravel the mystery of the great wyves in time to save England and themselves? Emmaâs Dragon is the second book in the award-winning Jane Austen Fantasy series. This boldly original story is filled with magical dragons, strong heroines, and a brilliantly reimagined Regency that challenges barriers of class, race, and love. |
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As above, so below. Panacea was a lie. An elaborate scheme instigated by Zeus, greatest of the Ruined Gods. Among its many victims was the former strategos Dexios, tricked into murdering Zeusâs brother, Hades, as the city of Thena fell to an unstoppable tauran herd. With the death of Hades, the barrier between realms has been shattered. The lifeless shades of Tartarus are no longer bound to the Underworld, but free to return to their decaying bodies and walk the lands of Tyrris once more. Only one can stop this. Makar, son of Hades, reluctant heir to his fatherâs legacy. Accompanied by the disgraced priestess Graycea and the sophistes Elena, he must find a way to traverse the mists of Tartarus and reclaim his birthright. A long, arduous path awaits. For deep in the fiery pits of the Underworld, someone is releasing the shades of the damned. Decrepit, pitiful shadows, their tortured minds broken by an eternity of torture. Yet, despite the madness, a single, overwhelming desire remains. Vengeance. |
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Miss Bennet's Dragon by M. Verant Foreword INDIES Winner for Fantasy. Royal Dragonfly Award Winner for Fantasy. âA charming retellingââLocus Magazine An unforgettable fantasy retelling of Jane Austenâs Pride and Prejudice that is romantic, funny, and more relevant than ever. Elizabeth Bennet is hiding a forbidden power. She can speak to draca, the fire-breathing creatures kept as status symbols by English gentry. But Mr. Darcy has noticed, and he has his own dark secret. When Elizabethâs sister falls deathly ill, the cure lies in the mysteries of draca. Elizabeth, aided by her brilliant sister Mary, defies restrictive English society to hunt for lost draca lore. She must hurry. Englandâs war with France has drawn other dangerous hunters. Elizabethâs search leads her to the fabulous Pemberley estate, home of the entitled and infuriating man whose proposal she scorned. There, Elizabethâs worlds smash togetherâprotocol against passion, and exultation against the risk of love. But the stakes are greater than her sisterâs life. Elizabeth must test herself against a distant war. And her enemy is not who she thought. âThrilling, superbly paced, and moving. I highly recommend this novel to fans of Jane Austen, as well as to anyone who has ever pondered the mystery of dragons.â â Katherine Sturtevant, author of At the Sign of the Star âA historical romance that encompasses the Napoleonic Wars, arcane marriage laws, and women with the power to command the fiercest, most dangerous, and wisest of beastsâ â Vanessa MacLaren-Wray, author of All That Was Asked Miss Bennetâs Dragon is a stand-alone story that begins a trilogy of Jane Austen Fantasy. |
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"I would advise you, young man, to take care around anyone with the surname Firefax. I know not if the rumors be true that they be king killers, but they are, without any doubt, a dangerous family." Legend tells of a city of gold on a phantom island. The wealth of that city could end the American Revolution. But the only person who knows the islandâs location is the worldâs deadliest assassin. And heâs not giving up that secret without a fight . . . The worldâs oldest family of high-profile assassins, the Firefaxes, have been killing off dignitariesâand being well-compensated to do soâfor centuries. The family is thrown into turmoil by their patriarchâs death and the return of their cunning, cruel prodigal, Murdoch. With their father dead, Murdoch is the only one who knows where the Firefax wealth is, kept on a secret island. But two competing intelligence networks in the American Revolution are bent on tracking down the legendary treasure to end the war, whatever the cost. However, these spy networks may have met their match in this wily, dysfunctional family of killers. |
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The Firetongue Heir by Elyse Thomson Love leads to ruin As the cunning mage Nadia plots to reshape a continent plagued by war, the fate of a noblewomanâmarriage and a life of stultifying insignificanceâis only one of many hurdles to overcome. Forced to let her brother take credit for all her brilliant plans, sheâs resigned to scheme from the shadows while her family decides her future. Her life seems set in stone, until she meets a charming, irritating rogue and the bane of her existenceâDarius. Prince Darius Firetongue loves nothing more than nettling the sharp-tongued, quick-witted Nadia, and being the disappointing youngest son of a tyrant leaves him plenty of time to woo her away from a fiancĂŠ she doesnât want. But when the king decides to bring him to heel by threatening Nadiaâs life, he knows he must act. Compelled to flee, with only each other to rely on, passions ignite. Yet as dangerous secrets are revealed, they must decide: side with family, or choose a reckless, forbidden love and the dark promise of bloodshed to come. A lush, romantic fantasy novella set in a world inspired by ancient history, The Firetongue Heir is the prequel novella to the Mages of Oblivion series. The ebook version remains an exclusive gift for newsletter subscribers. |
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Poisoned Empire by Elyse Thomson Cinderella (feral) meets The Lies of Locke Lamora in this lush romantic fantasy set in a world inspired by the Eastern Roman Empire. Black-marketeer Selene has poison magic and the cynicism to match. When she and genius metals mage Iliana are arrested by the same scheming, noble fathers who tossed them out at birth, they suspect apologies wonât be forthcoming. Forced to either impersonate their half-sisters or die, the friends are stuffed into fancy dresses, packed off to the capital, and thrust into the perilous, glittering world of the imperial court. Traitors lurk in Prince Belisariusâ court, and only his loyal strategos Marduk is above suspicion. As noble-born villains siphon away the souls of their daughters to magnify their magic in secret, Belisarius plots to expose them allâby inviting every noblewoman in the empire to compete for his hand in marriage. But two infuriating imposters in attendance quickly become his bane. When the friends are discovered, they expect imprisonmentânot a deal. Vast riches are on offer if Selene poses as fiancĂŠe to the handsome prince while Iliana simpers for the towering strategosâa ploy to lure traitorous enemies to the capital. Yet even as they help secure the throne, false affections flirt with real passions, and Selene and Iliana are convinced theyâll either lose their hearts⌠or their heads. |
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The consequences of freedom, the sacrifices for what is loved, and the battle for the future... All in the shadow of a castle that looms large over all who preside within the kingdom. |
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The Severing Son by Vaughn Roycroft Tales of the Bringer of Urrinan had been told for generations, but never had the prophecy felt so near to so many. Elan wasnât sure if she even believed one man could cause the sort of upheaval that would change the world. And yet, just as the prophecy foretold, dark forces were on the riseâincluding the many Spali warbands raiding across the borderlands. It was in pursuit of one such warband when Elanâs host discovered the hidden compound of the Outcast. Sheâd heard how the former chieftain of the mighty Amalus Clan had been unjustly accused of murdering his rival. How the conflict had begun over a woman. How the Outcastâs sonâborn of that same womanâperfectly matched the prophecyâs foretelling of the Bringer. Prophecy aside, it seemed that fate had led Elan into the midst of a legend. Because of a choice made in the heat of battle, Elan found herself bound to an outlaw hunted by friend and foe alike. Whether she believed in the prophecy or not, she found herself entangled with a lone figure who vowed to seek the sort of upheaval that might just change the world. Could Vahldan, son of the Outcast, truly be the Bringer of Urrinan? |
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The Children of the Black Moon by Joseph John Lee Torrential did the storms become. Torrential shall be the days to come. Exiled in disgrace and defeat after a vicious coup, Tez seeks an alliance with the militant Lake Tribe. Retaking the Stone Tribe is the key to a unified north in the face of the Invadersâ impending offensiveâŚif she can only stop her allies from warring amongst themselves. After finally successfully breaching the dense forest barrier dividing north and south, Aritz a Mata wants more. Seeing opportunity and resources in those untouched lands, he is eager to show the Tribes the full might of his forcesâŚand the fear he wields as the Sword of the Savior. Stripped of everything she held dear, Sen is given the opportunity to start anew among a group of fellow Eclipseborn. But quickly are her loyalties tested as she must choose between those who provided her a home and Tribe yet rejected her all the same, and her newfound kin who would see fit to destroy the Tribes entirelyâŚsomething they have sought for almost four centuries. The flames of war approach, and they seek to reduce all memory of the Tribes to nothing more than ash. |
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The Fires of Treason by Michele Quirke Princess Elizabeth has always idolized and supported her older brother, but when Greg is accused of treason and banished, her loyalty to him is tested in ways she never could've imagined. As she leaves her luxurious lifestyle behind to join him in exile, she must learn to cope with the everyday struggles of the working class, all while keeping her true identity a secret. Facing new hardships and the looming threat of execution, Elizabeth will need to toughen up if she has any chance of surviving outside the palace walls. Prince Gregory spent his entire life trying to prove himself worthy of the crown until his banishment releases him of all the pressures and obligations that have chained him down. Although he has no intention of raising an army to defend his birthright, he soon learns that not everyone is content to let him walk away from the throne. With his sister's safety and well-being to consider, Gregory must make a decision that will change both their lives forever. |
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Half a world away, beside the newly discovered continent of Southland, dwell the Sentinels, an archipelago of overgrown tropical islands brimming with gold. Amongst their rocky slopes fly the sails of traders, pirates and sealords all, none more feared than those stained threatening black. When Southland convict Wesley King and his family are finally pardoned after three hard years of toil, they delve into the islandsâ embrace searching for a fabled treasure long lost. But the quest quickly transforms into a desperate struggle for survival when the Kings become ensnared in the regionâs delicate web of piracy and treachery, where blood is repaid with blood, and a mysterious ship has resurfaced four years after it was wrecked. |
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Echoes of Avalon by Adam Copeland Patrick Gawain knows monsters. He's seen plenty of the human sort in the Holy Lands, and as he sails home from The First Crusade, a hooded apparition begins to stalk him. Convinced that he's lost his mind, he holes up in a monastery to convalesce and, if recovery proves impossible, to hide his demons from the world. But a stranger comes to find him and presents a barely credible invitation: travel to Avalon and serve with the Avangarde, an order of knights sworn to protect young scholars from around the world. Thinking it will be a fresh start, Patrick agrees, and soon discovers that Avalon is more than a myth; it is the site of a vibrant secret academy - and it's also full of ghosts, goblins, and talking wolves. He can capably protect the castle from the island's supernatural beasts, but in the relative peace of the academy life, his hooded demon returns and his troubled heart causes him to sabotage the love of a young woman, Katherina. When an ancient being with sinister designs for the island infiltrates the academy, Patrick is the first to suspect its true nature when it begins its quest by seducing Katherina. Patrick soon learns that before he can defeat monsters, he must first defeat his personal demons. |
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Lady of Ravensmere by Mary McKenna In a richly-imagined fantasy world, against a backdrop of alliances and betrayals, a young girl grows to a woman. Jenevra Louvet, the thirteen year old daughter of the Earl of Allandale, travels to the north to be betrothed. Well-born, well-bred and well-trained, she would not embarrass a king. But no king awaits her. Instead she will marry the new made lord of a dilapidated castle threatened by war. Far from her family and the life she knows, with little support, she must find a way to grow into the woman and lady her new land and husband need. Brilliantly imagined fantasy, Lady of Ravensmere chronicles the beginning of Jenevra's journey, a journey that will change her and the world around her. |
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A Thing Immortal by Barry K Gregory Someday the mountain man will kill her and then she'll be free. That's what the girl without a name believes. Right up until the day the old gunfighter with eyes the color of wildflowers and skin as white as his long, scraggly hair comes riding up on a painted horse. Riding right past the wards carved into the trees and all the way to the door of the mountain man's shack... An immortal gunslinger, a wolf made of shadows, a manhunter cursed by a ghost, a warrior who flies on stolen wings, and a mysterious girl without a name, battle ancient gods and monsters from the void in an American West that never was. |
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Liath Luachra: The Raiders by Brian O'Sullivan A gripping adventure in Ancient Ireland! As winter draws to a close, a troubled woman warrior's cold seclusion is disrupted by a desperate plea for help. Raising a warband to liberate a comradeâs kidnapped sister however, she quickly discovers this âsimpleâ rescue is far more perilous than she could have imagined. Traversing the wilderness of ancient Ireland, in pursuit of an enigmatic raiding party, she encounters old enemies who seek to undermine her, new allies who cannot be trusted, and harrowing secrets relating to her own past that threaten to undermine her leadership. Confronted by horrors sheâd thought long forgotten, Liath Luachra must revert to the very worst part of herself to survive. But in the wilderness of the âGreat Wildâ, even the best laid schemes rarely go as planned. And the southern forests hide threats far more lethal than raiders. This book includes the complete adventure contained in Liath Luachra: The Seeking and Liath Luachra: The Metal Men. |
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The Fey of Castle Garden by Naomi P. Cohen New York City, 1859: On Samhain night, a mage pledged to the Wild Hunt is violently murdered. Tensions between the Hunt and Triona, Fey Queen of Central Park, heat up and threaten to boil over into a full-scale conflict. Sofia De Benedetti, mage and musician in Trionaâs court, has her hands full making enough money to support herself and help women who are down on their luck in the rough corners of the city. Now a fey war looms and a mage killer is on the prowl. Everything Sofia has built since immigrating, and her life itself, is at risk. With the help of a cait sidhe and a tempestuous storm fey, Sofia must find the murderer before the streets of the city erupt into a magical battleground. |
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Shadow of the Winter Mood by Cam Sinclair Drunk ⌠Scoundrel ⌠Thief ⌠Vagabond ⌠Fool ⌠Reelum Hangs has been called many things, and at one time or other has resembled them all. Reelum, however, knows a dark and terrible secretâone that delves right to the heart of Kraven city. Sharrock is a grisly veteran from the harsh lands north of the Riven Expenseâa brutish man with a hard temper and harder reputation. When a business opportunity presents the seemingly simple task of locating Reelum Hangs and providing a solution to his money woes, Sharrock is set on a course that will forever alter his life. Foul conspiracies that may threaten the very fabric of society will be uncovered. Scores will be settled, violence and mayhem unleashed, and bestial lusts unfettered to rampage without restraint. The notion of right and wrong, hero and villain, action and consequences will forever be skewed and tainted. Welcome to the Kraven Kronicles ⌠|
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Danu's Curse by Nicole Pierman She endured an arranged marriage to help preserve peace in her country. But faced with familial betrayal, can a courageous young woman stop a brewing war between the Irish clans? Neas is no ordinary woman. Born with Fae magic in her veins, she is the only mortal with immortal abilities in Ireland. Due to her powers, she has always been protected by her uncle, a leader of a powerful Irish clan. But war continues to hang in the air, and Neas agrees to marry a prized warrior from another village in a desperate bid to strengthen peace between clans, even though she loves another man. When Fomorians rise from the Underworld and begin to attack, Neas begins to question her uncle's motives. Her uncle keeps her hidden behind the walls of his stronghold, away from the outside world as her people are slaughtered. Even though her magical abilities could easily end the bloodshed, she is pushed to the side until Neas uncovers the truth of his plan. Can Neas stop her uncle's bid for ultimate power without losing those she loves? Danu's Curse is a sweeping standalone Irish fantasy novel. If you enjoy independent female heroines, Irish mythology, and a thrilling magic-fueled story, then you will love Nicole Pierman's epic story. Buy Danu's Curse to join the ancient Irish rebels today! |
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The Third Crossing by Karim Soliman A prequel novel to the SPFBO Semi-finalist Army of the Cursed The drums of war are beating in Koya. By the Lightâs will, the Red Cloaks shall cross the sea under His holy banner, the ancient homeland will be restored, the slaughtered ancestors will be avenged, and the damned occupants will all perish. By the Lightâs will, the Third Crossing shall happen. Akira will be one of the heroes of the upcoming holy war; thatâs the seerâs promise to his mother. He will outshine his fellow mages, don the red cloak, and join the Lightâs own soldiers. He will bring victory to his people and honor to his family, clearing its name from his fatherâs shame. Or thatâs what Akira thinks. Because seers can be devious sometimes. From the rural side of Koya enters Natsu as she assumes her late husbandâs place and takes the smuggling underworld by storm. Her shocking rise provokes not only the Koyan navy, but also her rivals, and a fierce war ensues on land and sea. A war she can only win if she shakes hands with the smugglers' deadliest enemies; the Red Cloaks themselves. For honor and coin, Akira and Natsu will forge a shaky alliance, both knowing that one of them will eventually have to betray the other. Trust could be a grave mistake in these dark times of war. If you wish to be the last one standing, you must be ready to be the first to stab in the back. |
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The Bachelor's Valet by Arden Powell Alphonse Hollyhock is blessed with wealth, class, and more beauty than brains. Though he hasn't got a lick of wit or magic to his name, he's perfectly content living life as an airheaded bachelor with his valetâthe clever, unflappable Jacobiâby his side to ensure everything runs smoothly. All he lacks, according to his mother, is a wife. Despite Alphonse's protests, he's to marry Aaliyah Kaddour: a bright, headstrong young woman who would probably be charming company if she didn't threaten everything about Alphonse's way of life. Marrying means giving up his fashionable flat, his fast car, and, worst of all, it means losing Jacobi. Perhaps most distressingly, this talk of marriage is bringing all sorts of confusing feelings to the forefront. Because rather than falling for the beautiful girl being pushed into his arms, Alphonse seems to be falling for his valet. Except a man can't fall in love with another man. Can he? Meanwhile, Aaliyah has plans of her own. She's as devious as she is pretty, but if Alphonse wants to get through this marriage business in one piece, he'll have to trust her. Her and Jacobi, and, most dangerously, his own feelings. The Bachelor's Valet is a novel in the Flos Magicae series, a collection of queer romances set in an alternate 1920s universe with magic. All the stories are standalones and can be read in any order. |
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Trial of the Alchemist by Trevor Melanson Auroraâs greatest entrepreneur has been murdered, and only the truth will save Alchemist Ortez from the gallows. Facing a heated courtroom of strangers, he must now recall the events that brought him here as a fellow alchemist probes his memory. Such is the job of alchemists: administering elixirs in order to see into the minds of men. Their dreams. Their nightmares. Their secrets. But while everyone believes him guilty, Alchemist Ortez knows what they do not. He was hired by the victim for a job unlike any they could imagine. Nor would they ever guess what other mysteries lie buried beneath the mountain metropolis of Aurora, a cave-enclosed city where countless gas lamps illuminate the endless night. Trial of the Alchemist is a gaslamp mystery rife with twists, adventure, and romance. |
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Shortlisted for the 2022 Chaucer Award. 'A skilfully written, beautifully researched coming-of-age story set in Viking Orkney.â Lexie Conyngham, the Orkneyinga Murders series Loyalty has a price the children pay In the twilight of the old gods, when the last Vikings rule the seas, two cursed orphans meet on an Orkney beach and their fates collide. Stripped of honour, facing bleak loneliness ahead, Skarfr and Hlif forge an unbreakable bond as they come of age in the savage Viking culture of blood debts and vengeance. To be accepted as adults, Skarfr must prove himself a warrior and Hlif must learn to use womenâs weapons. Can they clear their names and choose their destiny? Or are they doomed by their fathersâ acts? The award-winning author of The Troubadours Quartet returns to the 12th century, with skalds instead of troubadours and Viking warriors instead of crusaders. Get ready for authentic medieval adventures steeped in poetry, politics and passion. Perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell Matthew Harffy and Madeline Miller. |
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The Bleeding Stone by Joseph John Lee The island nation of Ferranda is the jewel of the Acrarian Kingdom, and its Founder, Aritz a Mata, is revered as a god amongst men. But twenty-five years ago, Aritz was merely a man, a colonizer, an Invader seeking glory and fame in the name of his King and Queen, and Ferranda was a nameless union of indigenous Tribes, reverent of the heightened powers and aptitudes granted to them by their Animal Deities, but sundered by the foreigners claiming their lands to the south. In the unconquered north, the Stone Tribe has for fifteen years offered a safe haven for the southern Tribes displaced by Aritz's Invaders, whose occupying march north has been ostensibly halted by a dense forest barrier dividing north and south. Among the Stone people lives Sen, an outcast for the circumstances of her birth, preserved in society only by her status as daughter of her Tribe's Chief. Forever relegated to the fringes of society, she is forced to watch as countless of her kin, including her sister and brother, complete their rites of passage into adulthood and accordingly earn their aptitudes by the Deity to whom they share an affinity - the Bear, the Wolf, or the Owl. Despite this, Sen finds comfort in her life of forced solitude with her close inner circle, but hers is a comfort in days of waning tenuous peace. When Aritz's technologically-advanced forces push north, Sen is thrust into a singular quest to rescue one of her precious few captured in the ensuing struggle. While her goal is earnest - save someone dear to her and prove her worth to her Tribe - her people's goal is far more dire: survival in the face of uncertainty. |
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The Lady Jewel Diviner by Rosalie Oaks Diamonds, Death, and Devonshire tea⌠in a magical Regency England Miss Elinor Avely's proper upbringing cannot prepare her for the tiny, spinster vampire who crashes into her sitting room and demands to be fed with a sheep. Elinor already has enough troubles without having to catch ruminants. First, her secret gift for divining jewels has landed her in scandal, exiling her from London society. Second, a nobleman of dubious repute wants her to find a cache of smuggled jewels, hidden somewhere along the Devon coastline. Last â and worst â she is invited to cream tea at the local manor. And while the autocratic and magnificent Earl of Beresford might be there (and perhaps the jewels themselves too), Beresford is the last person Elinor wants to meet over cream tea. When a dead body is discovered along the cliffs, of course, such delicate considerations become secondary. Fortunately, Elinor now has a small vampiric chaperone â even if said spinster has a habit of appearing stark naked â and together they are ready to risk the hard questions. Where are the jewels hidden? Who killed the smuggler? And just when is the cream tea being served? The Lady Jewel Diviner is the first book in the Lady Diviner series, set in Regency England with generous servings of magic, manners, and romance. |
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Herald of the Storm by R.S Ford The first novel in Richard Ford's magnificent fantasy series has enough thrills, valour, guts and glory to satisfy any die-hard fan of David Gemmell and Joe Abercrombie. STAND TOGETHER⌠Under the reign of King Cael the Uniter, the vast cityport of Steelhaven has for years been a symbol of strength, maintaining an uneasy peace throughout the Free States. But now a long shadow hangs over the city, in the form of the dread Elharim warlord, Amon Tugha. ...OR DIE ALONE! When his herald infiltrates Steelhaven, looking to exploit its dangerous criminal underworld, and a terrible dark magick that has long been buried once again begins to rise, it could be the beginning of the end. . . Buy Herald of the Storm to begin the adventure today! |
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The Camelot Shadow by Sean Gibson âA chance to save her. Improbably, impossibly, inconceivably.â Lord Alfred Fitzwilliam spends each day in much the same way: caring for his terminally ill wife and trying to lose himself in the dusty tomes that fill his library. Everything changes when he receives a visit from a man representing a clandestine organization operating with the backing of Queen Victoria herself. The group seeks his aid in finding an Arthurian artifact that, legend holds, can cure its bearer of any wound or disease. Skeptical but desperate to help his wife, Alfred is convinced that the fabled item might actually exist after witnessing a seemingly impossible display of power by the organization's leader, James Nigel. He decides to purse the treasure, accompanied by an eccentric scholar, a deadly druid, and his best friend, a sardonic bookseller who is far more than he seems. As he follows an arcane trail of clues from the gas-lit streets of London to the wilds of Scotland and deep into ancient catacombs in Italy, Alfred becomes enmeshed in a web of hidden agendas, secret societies, and ancient enchantments. Along the way, he learns a dark secret about Nigelâs pastâand the true power of the artifact he seeks. Steeped in a compelling mythology and filled with unexpected twists, The Camelot Shadow will leave readers stunned, breathless, and wrestling with an impossible question: what do you do with an object that has the power to both save the world and destroy it? |
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The Queen With No Name (Return of the Ancestors Book 1) by JJ Makenzie She was born to be a queen, yet sheâs nothing more than a political pawn. With no name and no place to call her own, sheâs doing her best to hold on to the only thing that belongs to her and her aloneâher soul. A difficult task, given that she was kept alive for the sole purpose of being given to the formidable King Rowan of Northrend to fulfill the treaty signed by the three kingdoms of Greatland long before she was born. She must bear his heirs in the hopes of keeping the delicate peace that continually lies on the precipice of collapse. What she doesnât know is that sheâs not just the key to peaceâsheâs the key to war. King Rowanâs entire life has been spent protecting his beloved kingdom and people. All he wishes for is an unassuming wife to bear his heirs and leave him unaffected. But the princess with no name haunts him with her beauty and unyielding spirit. Torn between breaking her and loving her, he puts his kingdom at risk each passing day he goes without a legitimate heir. But there are more than hearts and souls on the line; danger lurks around every corner. Threats from within and without Northrend make it difficult to know who they can trust. The paramount question is, can they trust each other? Will the king finally name his queen, or will she tear his world apart? Her name comes with a price. Who will pay it? Author JJ Makenzie presents an achingly beautiful coming of age story with a romance that will curl your toes and leave you longing for more. |
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Khon'Tor's Wrath: An Alternate History Epic Fantasy by Leigh Roberts If sheâd known the consequences, would she have made the same choice? An underground, sophisticated community hidden for thousands of years, ruled by the sacred laws handed down by the Ancients. A young Healer â forbidden to pair and committed to the service of the Great Spirit. A handsome protector â compelling but out of reach. A powerful Chieftain â who demands obedience above all else. â¨What if⌠The Peopleâs existence is thrown into jeopardy when the young Healer, Adia, breaks a sacred law of the Ancients, putting everyone at risk of discovery by an outside world that will only seek to destroy them. When her Chieftain KhonâTor, discovers what she has done, he sees the Healerâs disobedience as an affront to his authority, and fears her actions will trigger The Age of Shadows â a period of terrible trial foretold by the Ancients. Hated by her Chieftain's mate for reasons she does not understand, Adia faces the biggest battle of her life as she clings to her faith and searches for the strength to endure the consequences of her Chieftainâs anger. She was prepared for him to be angry. She was prepared for him to punish her. But she was not prepared for Khon'Tor's Wrath. |
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Wedded to the Warlord by Sirena Knighton The Butcher of Borviel takes a bride⌠When a princess from the East and a warlord from the West are forced into an arranged marriage to cement an alliance between their kingdoms, they have to learn to get along â or thousands will die. Mallika has been burned by love before. She trusted the wrong man, and now sheâs trapped as a pawn in his underhanded political schemes. With her brotherâs life on the line, sheâs forced to wed a man who stands for everything she hates, win his heartâand then secretly betray him. Tristan knew he would never make a love match. As a general to his king, he sold his loyalty years ago in return for his familyâs safety. Now, heâs suddenly the heir to a baronetcy, and his king wants him to take a foreign bride. One that heâs not sure he can trust. With opponents to the alliance in both kingdoms, and their conflicting personalities constantly clashing, their marriage seems doomed to fail. Can these two royal pawns fight their fate and find love? â¤ď¸ Dual POV â¤ď¸ Arranged marriage â¤ď¸ Slow-burn romance â¤ď¸ Opposites attract â¤ď¸ 'Only one bed' â¤ď¸ 'Why can't I hate you?' â¤ď¸ Cinnamon roll hero |
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Street Witch: The Complete Trilogy: Steamy Fantasy Romance by S. L. Prater A bold witch. A reluctant ruler. A forbidden love that will challenge an empire. Marnie is a gifted witchâbut magic has a mind of its own. Left unrestrained, it will always misbehave. When a demonic curse threatens Lord Bran, a man sheâs loved since childhood, Marnie uses her abilities to save him. After years of suppressing their feelingsâknowing the relationship is prohibited by the Church of the Clothâthe two succumb to their passion. Her growing power triggers a dangerous political warâand their relationship is doomed before it begins. Now the couple must decide whether to keep their love a secret or face imminent persecution . . . knowing they may not survive. |
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The Pharaoh's Curse by Kyro Dean There was a reason the assassins always won in the end. Why her family always died. He was smarter than her, whoever he was. More prepared. A mongoose to her cobra. And it didnât matter how hard she fought back, how hard she bit. In the end, heâd eat her up. Zarina Nefartari is the last descendant of the ancient queens. As novel and grand as a royal heritage sounds, descending from a line of queens has only ever brought her trouble. She is, after all, a descendant of the sun god who canât bear to see its light without getting migraines and who needs colored lenses just to stand in its rays. The laughing gods were cruel like that. Not to mention the assassin that has been hunting her family for millennia. The begrudging family of killers has been the end of every one of her female ancestors since the great queen herself--and they're coming for her next. To make matters worse, her god-appointed bodyguard since birth, Farak, does not reciprocate her growing feelings. Too bound to his godly oath, he has committed to forsaking love and protecting her at all costs. Unsatisfied with the lot the fates have dealt her, Zarina wants more than anything to free them both from the curse of an early death. She leaves her life of hiding to solve the mystery that has shaded her family for two-thousand years, hoping that if she takes fate into her own hands and fights back against the assassin, Farak's allegiance will change. The problem? Lord Richard DeClare: an over-excited Brittanian Aegyptologist who finds her absolutely mesmerizing--and who reveals her identity to all of Aegyptus. With the mysterious assassin hot on her newly-announced trail, a street lord who wants her dead so he can steal her family's treasure, and that pesky Britannian who happens to possess the resources she needs, Zarina is thrown into a foray of chaos that threatens to kill her at every turn. Now, she must use her colored lenses to solve the clues in the tunnels and tombs of her family's legacy to figure out who the assassin is and why they've wanted her family dead since Queen Nefertari's reign over two millennia ago. Deep in the heart of an alternate-history Egypt, Zarina must learn what matters more--family or fate--and how much control she has over a life ruled by the gods. |
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Whispers in the Waters by Sarah Chislon Ladies donât shame their families. Ladies donât confront Otherwordly threats. Ladies certainly donât admit some taint of the fae has touched their soulsâunless they wish to find themselves confined to an Institution. Gently-bred herbalist Jessa Caldwell is trying to be a lady. She conceals her true nature amongst her plants and her sketchesâwhere she can almost shut out the whispers she alone hears. But a threat to her beloved aunt forces her from the comfort of home to a town perilously near an Otherworldly Crossing, with its ever-present risk of fae incursions. To protect her aunt and the townsfolk she comes to care for, she must uncover the individual responsible for a series of increasingly dangerous attacksâbut to find this saboteur will require embracing the part of herself she fears most, an act that could cost her dearly. In a world where Vigilists lock up fae-touched mortals, Jessa must decide if sheâs willing to risk exposing her true nature to obtain the truth and protect those she loves. Whispers in the Waters, a gaslamp fantasy novella, serves as the prequel to Tattoo of Crimson, the first book in the Blood of the Fae series. If you like quick-minded heroines who solve cases with logic and intuition, beautiful yet deadly fae, and Otherworldly intrigues, then youâll love this mystery set in a world of manners and mythical monsters. |